A second chance for Fish Creek

By Rob Popplestone

TWO of the competition’s best sides were greeted by perfect Spring weather as Fish Creek and Newborough battled for a direct passage into the MGFNL Grand Final, with the more accurate Bulldogs prevailing by five points in a thriller.

The improving Fish Creek team entered the game with strong belief they could inflict the Bulldogs’ first loss of the year to secure the first spot on offer in the big dance, and looked at times like they would achieve that before falling agonisingly short.

Despite not getting the win, Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker described the contest as a “great game”.

“I’m not sure what it looked like from the crowd but it was a cracking game to be playing in with momentum swings all day, and at times looked like both sides could have run away with it,” Walker said.

The Kangaroos jumped out of the blocks, seizing a 13-point quarter time lead, but as good sides do, Newborough wrestled back some of the momentum to trail by just four points by the main break.

The third quarter, commonly known as the premiership quarter, is where the premiership favourites did their thing, turning up the heat with five goals to one and holding a 20-point lead at the final turn.

While there was plenty of fight left in the Kangaroos, it was the Bullldogs that courageously hung tough under the pressure being applied, getting over the line by under a goal.

Newborough coach Craig Skinner reflected on the competitive nature of the game.

“It was the most contested game we have had for the year, and when we felt like the game was on our terms Fish Creek denied us the ball and won most of the 50/50 contests in the last quarter,” Skinner said.

“We had to be clinical to not allow any decisions or momentum to continue going the same direction, and although we struggled for winners on the day Peter Jibba Ainsworth was our best attack on the ball and kept us in the game on more than one occasion.”

Rival coach Walker remained upbeat after the match.

“It was a great atmosphere and what finals football is all about, and while it would have been terrific to get the win, we will need to butter up and get prepared for next week; we gained a lot of belief from today and can’t wait for the next challenge ahead.”

Fish Creek would love to have one more chance to right some wrongs of the weekend, but to do that they must now win a Preliminary Final against Thorpdale at the Foster Showgrounds.

Fierce contest expected for Fish Creek against Thorpdale

Fish Creek last week threw everything it had at Newborough only to fall short by less than a straight kick and the brutality of the match is sure to have some Kangaroos players feeling the pinch in this week’s Preliminary Final stoush with Thorpdale, a game that is destined to be every bit as physical.

Kangaroos coach Jarrod Walker said that despite not quite getting the win over Newborough, his side has gained a lot of belief for this week, confident it will be well placed for the next challenge.

That challenge comes in the shape of Thorpdale, a team well coached, well built and well and truly ready for whatever the Kangaroos bring to the table.

The Blues were challenged last week and responded as good sides do, and their ability to stay composed and patient when under pressure has them in good stead for another step forward, this time into the Grand Final.

The anticipated physical encounter that this week’s preliminary final will be, is one for which each club’s coach must have their players ready.

Absorbing the physical pressure and responding in a fashion that doesn’t cross the line that might have players unavailable the week after is an important focus.

It has been a few months since these two sides met, and it was the only time to date for the year with Fish Creek winning the round three clash back in May by 21 points.

At the time, Fish Creek coach Walker showed respect for the opposition while also outlining how his side got the points.

“It was an arm wrestle all day and Thorpdale is a strong and well coached side; a few strong efforts from our mids and forwards helped us get over the line,” Walker said.

Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said his side was beaten in and around the stoppage contests in the last quarter, costing it the game, and that will be something he is keen to rectify this time around.

The finals to date have not disappointed, and everything points to this week’s Preliminary Final being as epic as any we have seen so far.